Absence Never Filled captures the profound grief and the enduring emptiness of a loss that cannot be replaced. Michael Arad, the architect behind the 9/11 Memorial's Reflecting Absence design, described it as "absence made visible," an eloquent expression of the void left behind by tragedy.
 
In July 2024, I visited the 9/11 Memorial for the fourth time. As I stood by the south pool, I couldn't help but reflect on the pool's endless cycle of water; no matter how much flows into it, it never reaches the brim. It's a poignant reminder that the immense loss endured can never truly be filled. Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker's design is a remarkable tribute to those lost, yet it evokes a range of emotions in many. For some, the Memorial offers a sense of closure, while for others, it perpetuates the memory of the tragedy.
 
As a native New Yorker and one who lost a fellow service member (also a NYC police officer), I find myself caught between these sentiments. When I visit the Memorial, I honor the fallen, but I can't help but leave with a deep sadness that lingers, knowing that this tragedy could have, in some ways, been prevented.
 
This photograph captures the south pool, with the Brookfield Place building in the background. In contrast, the north pool was drained for maintenance during my visit in July 2024. Witnessing the emptiness of the north pool was a stark reminder of the absence that is always present, a visible reflection of the loss we still feel.
 
Artist Choice: Metal Print with Black Shadow Mount or Floating Hanger